Iowa Community Reinvestment Project Offers Training on Principles of Open Access
Today’s office practice plays a key role in continuing to move health care from an acute care model focused on inpatient treatment to a health maintenance model that strives to manage symptoms in an outpatient setting. Through the Iowa Plan for Behavioral Health Medicaid Community Reinvestment project, the Iowa Psychiatric Society received funding to train providers to use the principles of open access in various mental health centers and psychiatric clinics in central Iowa to help ensure that consumers receive more timely and increased access to outpatient services.
“Open Access Model” Training
Stakeholders have provided feedback that Iowa consumers are experiencing problems accessing outpatient psychiatric care. They often wait several months between the time they are referred and the time they are seen for an initial assessment. Such delays negatively affect consumer satisfaction, referral source satisfaction and mental health symptoms, and can ultimately lead to increased health care costs. The Iowa Psychiatric Society has partnered with Dr. Robert Smith, clinical associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa, to offer training in a new model of conducting business for Iowa providers. Dr. Smith is the national coach for Advanced Clinic Access and the primary individual assisting in the spread of the “Open Access Model.”
The following information is covered as part of the Open Access Model training:
- Individualized rescheduling: Schedule follow-up appointments according to consumer need. May schedule out as far as 12 months, but assure urgent appointment availability, if needed.
- Supply and demand: Know, measure and understand supply and demand of services as well as non-appointment tasks.
- Reduce appointment types and duration: Graduate “stable” consumers back to their primary care physician but allow urgent appointment availability, if needed.
- Work down the backlog: Do today’s work today.
- Data analysis: Use data.
Highlights
The first training was held March 1, 2008 and included psychiatrists and staff from five different provider organizations. Each provider organization attending the training selected an area they intend to measure and improve in. Going forward, these providers will participate in monthly conference calls to share experiences and findings, and will attend two more follow-up training sessions.
Participating providers include:
- Eyerly Ball Community Mental Health Center
- Hauser Clinic
- Iowa Counseling Center – Iowa Health System
- Mercy Psychiatric Services
- Wadle & Associates.
The Open Access Model is one of the Community Reinvestment projects funded by the Iowa Department of Human Services through its contract with Magellan Health Services for the Iowa Plan for Behavioral Health Medicaid Community Reinvestment. These projects aim to enhance behavioral health services and supports for Medicaid consumers and their families.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Open Access Model training, please contact Chris Sims or Steve Johnson at 1-800-638-8820.